Construction of a kingdom with its capital and its temple in Jerusalem (Solomon)

Principles: - One God, all-powerful, all-knowing

- Israelites as the “chosen people”, who made a covenant with God

- waiting for the promised Land

Relationship with Romans: Judea became a Roman province.

Revolt in 66> in 70, the Temple was destroyed (cf. Arch of Titus in Rome)

Revolt, in 132 > begginings of the DIASPORA, central in Jewish religion

4)The rise of Christianity

·Jesus (4 BC- 30 AD) : born as a Jew, claimed himself the son of God (Messiah). Oppositions of the Jews and the Romans > Crucifixion

·The teachings of Jesus: - love of God and of his son, Jesus- fraternity: love the other as yourself

- life after death: Heaven for the Good people

From Isis to Virgin Mary

The spread ofChristianity: role of Paul, addressing the Gentiles (i.e. the non Jewish people), stressing the universality of Christianity (no more circumcision but baptism). Journeys throughout the Mediterranean > the first missionary

Reasons for Christianity’s success:

-Embraced all people (men, women, slaves, poor, nobles)

-Gave hope to the powerless

-Offered personal relationship with a loving God

- Promised eternal life after death

Roman reactions: persecutions (Nero in 65, Diocletian at the end of the 3d c.)> Christianity as a secret cult with symbolism (ex. The fish, the pastor in the Catacombs (underground cemeteries) of Rome)

> martyrdom which enhanced the power of attraction of Christianity

Christianity as a state-religion (Byzantine Empire and Germanic kingdoms)